Paseo del Arte

The Puerta de Toledo gate was built to commemorate the arrival in Madrid of Fernando VII, 'the Desired One'. It appears that the project for the gate was carried out under the reign of José Bonaparte, although the return of Fernando VII to the throne put it on halt; its construction was later entrusted to Antonio López Aguado.  López Aguado used granite and stone from Colmenar to build a gate in Neo-Roman style and it was completed in 1827. With three arches, two lateral square arches and one central semi-circular arch, the Puerta de Toledo gate has openings flanked by half-columns with Ionic capitals in the central arch and Ionic pilasters in the others.  On the side facing the Manzanares River, a group of sculptures made by Valeriano Salvatierra and Ramón Barba was installed above the central arch. These sculptures represent the power of the Spanish monarchy on both hemispheres. Also on this side, in the upper part of the other two arches, several military trophies were placed. Finally, on the opposite side of the monument, two angels support the emblem of the City of Madrid.
The Puerta de Toledo gate was built to commemorate the arrival in Madrid of Fernando VII, 'the Desired One'. It appears that the project for the gate was carried out under the reign of José Bonaparte, although the return of Fernando VII to the throne put it on halt; its construction was later entrusted to Antonio López Aguado.  López Aguado used granite and stone from Colmenar to build a gate in Neo-Roman style and it was completed in 1827. With three arches, two lateral square arches and one central semi-circular arch, the Puerta de Toledo gate has openings flanked by half-columns with Ionic capitals in the central arch and Ionic pilasters in the others.  On the side facing the Manzanares River, a group of sculptures made by Valeriano Salvatierra and Ramón Barba was installed above the central arch. These sculptures represent the power of the Spanish monarchy on both hemispheres. Also on this side, in the upper part of the other two arches, several military trophies were placed. Finally, on the opposite side of the monument, two angels support the emblem of the City of Madrid.
A gallery which is as impressive on the outside as the inside. The exhibitions here seem to err on the abstract and contemporary, so it might not be the favourite place of more traditional art lovers, but do take a stroll past to admire this architectural greenery even if you don’t go inside. They’re real plants embedded into soil along the wall!
#Trovember
If you are looking for art sightseeing being out-of-sorts just take a hike around Madrid streets and stop at the many house entrances in Salamanca, Retiro, Las Lettras etc and be astonished by the beautiful art work via ceramic tiles - it also gives you an impression about the glorious past of the heart of Spanish language and culture #LifeAtExpedia
Madrid Atocha railway station


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